LEARN CHINESE IN YOUR LOCAL AREA
HELP CUSTOMERS ORDER A MEAL IN CHINESE
HELP CUSTOMERS ORDER A MEAL IN CHINESE
Monkey Magic Tribute
Our act is a street theatre performance tribute to the beloved series Monkey Magic, screened on ABC TV, a version of 西游记 （Xīyóu jì）Journey to the West. Originally written in China in the 16th Century by Wu Cheng’en, the adventures of Sun Wukong follow the true story of a monk from the Tang Dynasty who travelled to India to fetch the Buddhist scriptures. Joined by his magical companions Pigsy and Sandy, Monkey is instructed by Buddha to accompany Tripitaka on the perilous journey. Versions of these stories have been performed around the world for hundreds of years, and we bring them to Gold Coast!
The nature of Monkey was irrepressible!
Recently, our troupe performed at the Gold Coast Chinatown Mooncake Festival. Check out our interview with Nicole Dyer on ABC Gold Coast after the 9am news on Friday 25 September 2026
Monkey Magic at the Mooncake Festival
The hit Japanese TV series
Monkey Magic
Australians became enamoured of the Japanese version in the 1980s on the ABC. Controversially casting a woman in the role of the monk. Well known comedians played elements of the mythologised adventures for laughs. The tv show was overdubbed in fake Japanese accents by the BBC, adding to it's charm, and many afternoons were spent stick fighting.
In each episode, the pilgrims accompanying Tripitaka, Pigsy, Sandy and Monkey are set upon by demons, tempting them from their mission to fetch the Buddhist scriptures.
Morality tales and historical legends combine, as we join our hero, Monkey, 孙悟空 Sun Wukong (Descendant Awakening to Emptiness) as he journeys towards ultimate enlightenment through struggle and perseverance.
Journey to the West
Based on the true story of the Monk Xuanzang, who travelled to India to bring the Buddhist scriptures to Tang China in the eight Century BC, Journey to the West, has been performed around the world and in many cultures. The Japanese series was just one in many remakes, with another recent Australian and New Zealand coproduction adapting the tale: https://theconversation.com/far-from-white-washing-abcs-monkey-magic-remake-takes-us-back-to-its-cross-cultural-roots-90853
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-20/monkey-magic-to-get-a-reboot/8457782
Lisa Gay and the crew 2026
A graduate in East Asian Studies from the Australian National University (ANU), Lisa translated an abridged illustrated version of Journey to the West as a children's educational resource.
Lisa will facilitate the next round of performances, inviting old and new friends to play the pilgrims in a new and updated version. Book us for your school China Day, or your next event.
